As two Central American titans of tourism, how do you select between Costa Rica and Panama? Each have unimaginable landscapes teeming with wildlife, stunning seashores dotted alongside each the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines and a vibrant native tradition.
They’re even tough to separate in the case of prices given they’re two of the priciest international locations in Central America – however then, they’ve the infrastructure to match.
The same traits of those neighboring gems have led to a good-natured rivalry, from the soccer subject to a espresso cup. So, in that pleasant spirit of competitors, let’s examine how these two international locations stack up.
Greatest nation for seashores
Whether or not you need to snorkel with rainbow-colored fish, trip the waves or simply lounge on powder-soft sand, you will discover breathtaking seashores stretching alongside two coastlines in each Panama and Costa Rica.
Costa Rica
The nation is blessed with some spectacular strips of sand, a staggering 136 of which have Blue Flag standing (an internationally acknowledged sustainability certification).
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The image-perfect seashores of the Península de Nicoya embrace the hip browsing hangout of Santa Teresa, famed for its highly effective seaside break; Sámara, common with locals and guests for its calm, protected waters; and the blissfully secluded (and just some minutes from Samara) Playa Barrigona.
In Guanacaste, Playa Hermosa was named Central America’s first World Browsing Reserve in 2022 for its biodiversity and conservation ethos – it additionally gives some world-class waves.
Panama
Panama has a seaside to go well with each temper. To catch a wave, head to laid-back Santa Catalina on the Pacific Coast or take a look at the volcanic-sand seaside of Playa Venao on the bucolic Península de Azuero. For a style of tropical island life, head to the Pacific’s paradisical Pearl Islands or the Caribbean’s Bocas del Toro, to snorkel within the gin-clear waters round Isla Bastimentos earlier than chilling over a piña colada or two.
However for an actual castaway really feel, you possibly can’t beat the San Blas (Comarca de Guna Yala) archipelago, dwelling to the indigenous Guna individuals, the place there’s a palm-fringed, pocket-sized island for day by day of the 12 months.
The winner: Panama, because of its idyllic islands, however these searching for a seaside break will probably be spoilt for alternative in both nation.
Greatest nation for wildlife watching
Each international locations teem with endemic species and guarded areas, from mist-wreathed cloud forests to steamy rainforests and fish-filled marine parks.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a wildlife wonderland with 30 nationwide parks (and counting), to not point out dozens of wildlife refuges and reserves, with protected areas masking greater than 30% of its landmass.
The lofty cloud forest reserves of Monteverde are a hotbed of biodiversity, buzzing with birds, amphibians and reptiles, and the “mini-Amazon” of Parque Nacional Tortuguero on the Caribbean coast is a protected breeding floor for inexperienced sea turtles. The wild and fantastic Parque Nacional Corcovado on the Osa Peninsula is dwelling to tapirs, scarlet macaws and elusive pumas, whereas the Golfo Dulce is the place for whale and dolphin recognizing.
Dive with colleges of hammerhead sharks and people light giants, whale sharks, at Isla del Coco situated within the southern a part of the nation, close to Península de Osa.
Panama
This skinny isthmus linking Central and South America is a nature lover’s paradise. Between June and December, hundreds of olive ridley sea turtles lay their eggs on the seashores of Isla Cañas. Between July and October, humpback whales go to the Golfo de Chiriquí to present start across the underwater utopia of Isla de Coiba off the Pacific coast.
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On dry land, hen watchers flock to the cloud forest trails round Boquete to seek for the elusive resplendent quetzal. Greater than 400 hen species have been noticed alongside Pipeline Street in Soberanía Nationwide Park, situated within the Canal Zone.
And also you don’t have to go away Panama Metropolis to identify sloths and different wild issues alongside the rainforest trails of the Parque Pure Metropolitano.
The winner: Costa Rica – it’s a world chief in conservation. No surprise the Ticos’ motto is pura vida (pure life).
Greatest nation for out of doors journey
Thrill-seekers and out of doors lovers will discover all the pieces from smooth journey to excessive sports activities in each Costa Rica and Panama.
Costa Rica
If you wish to strive white water rafting, canyoneering, diving with whale sharks, or tackle critical surf breaks, then Costa Rica’s the place.
The nation’s dwelling to the unique cover tour and there are many zip traces that’ll provide you with a monkey’s eye view, sending you dashing – and screaming – over the forest or round Arenal Volcano. The Pacuare River, situated practically 124km (77 miles) from the capital of San José, is a famend white water rafting spot, with rapids starting from Class II to Class V.
Again on dry land, take a three-day round-trip hike up the nation’s highest peak, Cerro Chirripó. In case you get to the summit earlier than the mist falls, you will have views over the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea on the similar time.
Panama
Boquete within the Chiriquí Highlands is the hub for mountain climbing, white water rafting, kayaking, rappelling and mountaineering. You may slog to the summit of Volcan Barú for a spectacular dawn or take an adrenalin-fueled cover tour, zipping at breakneck velocity over its forested slopes.
Hardcore hikers can strap on their boots and trek coast-to-coast from Panamá Viejo to Portobelo or by means of the primordial forest of Darién with Jungle Treks. Skilled divers can scuba in shark-infested waters off the previous penal colony of Isla Coiba. Look out for curious capuchin monkeys as you kayak round Gatún Lake or watch behemoth ships crossing the Panama Canal.
The winner: Costa Rica for the sheer number of out of doors adventures on provide.
Greatest nation for espresso lovers
There’s loads for espresso aficionados to rejoice with each international locations producing first-class beans.
Costa Rica
Due to its multitude of microclimates, Costa Rica has not one however eight high-altitude areas, notably within the Central Valley and Guanacaste, that produce espresso, every with its personal distinct taste.
Beans are hand-picked, and it’s the one nation on the planet the place it’s unlawful to provide something aside from top-notch 100% Arabica beans.
To comply with the bean-to-cup espresso course of first-hand, check-in on the beautiful Finca Rosa Blanca in Barva, a carbon-neutral, natural espresso farm and art-filled boutique lodge. Non-guests can be a part of the twice-daily espresso excursions.
Panama
Panama’s espresso estates are set round its three volcanoes – Volcán Baru, El Valle and La Yeguada – with soil enriched by volcanic ash and cooled by breezes that blow in from each the Caribbean and the Pacific coasts.
The perfect beans are grown round Boquete, together with Geisha, one of many world’s most interesting coffees because of its singular style. The Lamastus Household Estates produces the top-rated Elida Geisha Inexperienced Tip, which broke the world report for the most costly publicly auctioned espresso at USD$1029 per pound. In case you can’t tour the property, pattern a cup on the Sisu Espresso Studio, the household’s industrial-chic cafe in Panama Metropolis, for round $9.
The winner: Panama narrowly takes it, because of the legendary Geisha.
Greatest nation for lovers of tradition
Each international locations have a wealthy cultural historical past, expressed by means of arts and crafts, music, and delicacies.
Costa Rica
While it’s tempting to bypass the city jungle and head straight for Costa Rica’s wildlife-rich forests, when you’ve got time in San José, spend it exploring a number of of its beautiful neighborhoods.
Begin off by having fun with the architectural splendor of historic Barrio Amón or head to Barrio Escalante, town’s gastro hub with its Saturday morning farmers market and an outside meals court docket created from repurposed delivery containers. The state-of-the-art Jade Museum, with 5 flooring crammed with age-old jade artifacts and extra, is price a glance, as is the glittering assortment on the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum.
Panama
Panama Metropolis is Central America’s most cosmopolitan capital with no scarcity of issues to do, from the landmark BioMuseo showcasing the nation’s biodiversity to the compact Museo de la Mola exploring the indigenous Guna’s one-of-a-kind textile artwork.
Getting up near the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal is on many customer’s bucket lists and you may take a look at its turbulent historical past on the interactive Miraflores Guests Middle. The Panama Canal Museum sits in a preserved colonial mansion in Casco Viejo. Only a 10-minute drive north is the Afro-Antillean Museum, which celebrates the scores of West Indian laborers who labored on the canal.
The winner: Panama for its buzzy capital and world-famous waterway.
